Thanks for that (and to Peter, who pointed this out also).
It is a no-lose situation - if the fence belongs to the
neighbour then it is his problem. If it doesn't then the
neighbour has done criminal damage to the OP's fence by
affixing strapping to it..

This may well be the case. Even so I would still urge the OP to go and talk
to his neighbour to see if he can resolve matters. A chat over a cup of tea
or pint of beer can work wonders. Or in this case even a wee dram!